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        Technology adds tactile sensations to mobile phone apps

        Doug | Date: Oct 27, 2004 | Comments: 1


        Immersion Corp., a provider of tactile feedback technology known as "haptics", has released a pair of packages intended to enable the addition of "orchestrated touch sensations" to applications and content on mobile phones. VibeTonz Mobile is used by handset manufacturers to add haptics touch sensations to handsets, and the VibeTonz Studio SDK is used by application developers to create touch-enhanced...

        content on "VibeTonz-enabled" devices. Immersion claims that its technology can be added to "any mobile phone."

        VibeTonz Mobile, for manufacturers to "VibeTonz-enable" their handsets, includes the following: the target side of the touch application program interface (API); a license management function; the VibeTonz engine, comprising control algorithms and drivers; hardware design specification for the power amplifier and associated circuitry; all necessary documentation. The VibeTonz API is written in C and has a "growing number" of ports to the most popular mobile platforms, Immersion says.

        VibeTonz Studio, for developers to incorporate VibeTonz into applications and content, is offered via an SDK (software development kit) that includes: VibeTonz Studio, a Windows-based composition tool and import utility; VibeTonz API for mobile application development; VibeTonz Device Connect Files, which adapt VibeTonz technology to various target handset families; a VibeTonz Effects Sample Pack of example touch sensations; and the VibeTonz Demo Showcase, a Flash demonstration of the VibeTonz touch sensations. According to Immersion, the Flash demonstration includes two real-life scenarios, an explanation of the variety of effect characteristics, and touch-enabled sample ringers, games, alerts, navigational cues, and emoticons.

        Immersion's developer web site includes technical information, resources, and a free, fully functional, 30-day trial version of VibeTonz Studio SDK with an online purchase option.